Benjamin B. Borchers
CMC Steel Texas
This summer I returned to CMC Steel Texas for my third summer internship as a meltshop process engineering intern. This continuing relationship has allowed me to grow greatly in my technical skills, steelmaking knowledge, and leadership ability because I know the team and environment, so I can hit the ground running at the start of the summer. This summer I was fortunate enough to work on eleven different projects and have a tangible impact on each of them.
My most impactful project this summer was focused on alloy optimization at the ladle furnace. Before my internship began, our facility had identified a cost-effective alternative for a key alloy addition on certain steel grades. My project evaluated whether that approach could be expanded to additional grades with tighter chemistry requirements while still maintaining compliance with product specifications. I built my understanding by training on the floor at the ladle furnace, researching the process, and discussing technical considerations with my managers. Through this work, I learned more about slag treatment, recovery percentages, and key risk factors that needed to be considered before moving forward. After applying optimization concepts I learned at university, we ran multiple trials, during which I oversaw alloy additions and collected trial data. My analysis showed that this expanded alloying approach could deliver significant cost savings while keeping the risk of chemistry deviations low. Beyond the data analysis, this project strengthened my understanding of ladle furnace operations, the importance of clear communication during trials, and the difference between process predictions and real-world results.
Apart from alloy optimization, many of my projects this summer involved finding and working with suppliers for new equipment for the melt shop. This included safety-lighting projectors, a new style of alloy transport vessels, and multiple emerging technology trials. In these projects, I was responsible for evaluating supplier options, defining project goals, coordinating equipment trials, and presenting recommendations to my managers. These projects taught me a lot about project life cycles, and engineering decision making regarding safety, cost, and convenience.
I am extremely grateful to CMC Steel Texas and AIST for the opportunities given to me over the past few years. The education and mentorship these organizations have provided throughout my college career has been incredible. The experience has helped me truly develop my engineering skills and prepare me for the start of my career and beyond.